REBORN

**Dominic’s story**

Damn all this. How was I going to tell her that the man she was asking for was actually her fiance? The man she was going to marry one day? And why the hell was I feeling jealous of a dead man?
I didn’t prepare an explanation concerning Tom. What was certain was that in Rebecca’s mind, this Tom didn’t have a face. Only what she remembered from her dreams, if she remembered anything at all. And I couldn’t even go into the motives. She was very vulnerable now, anyway. So I’ll take the shortest possible way.
“We’ll have time to talk about Tom, who you only see in dreams, anyway. There’s been enough excitement for one day, Rebecca. You’d better rest now.”
For the first time in a long time, she gazed directly into my eyes. I knew she could see me so well. But there was still a void in her eyes. I helped her gently onto the bed, supporting her carefully. She looked so fragile, especially now, when something she so long longed for had happened in her life.
“Maybe you’re right. The fact that I’m finally seeing has me a little off balance even though it was something I was looking forward to”
“If you need me, I’ll be close...” That’s how it would be my whole life anyway, but I wanted her to know that whatever happened, she could count on me.
“Dominic, please don’t go...” Her voice differed from what I was used to. And her request stunned me in the nicest possible way.
“What? Are you not feeling well? “The truth was, I was panicking a bit, especially since the changes were starting to avalanche in her case and in mine as well.
I definitely knew what she meant, but I just needed to hear it from her mouth.
“No, I’m okay, don’t worry, it’s just...so much has happened lately. Stay with me until I fall asleep. Please.”
I turned from the door, letting her flowery scent lead me straight to bed with her. God, I felt so damn jumpy! I looked at her, but she had no reaction. She was waiting for me to find my place. She’d never asked me that before, but this was different. Her voice was almost begging me not to leave her side. It was an innocent gesture, but to be honest, for me it was like taking the test of my life. And my wolf too. My anxiety had reached alarming proportions when Rebecca came inches closer. The warmth of her body was so inviting that I instinctively put my arm around the back of her neck, allowing her to rest her head on my chest. She took the opportunity to move even closer to me, her cheek almost brushing my bare chest.
The sensation was indescribable in words. Only our hearts and souls could react in this moment to what we were releasing through our veins. And it was pure desire.
This flame stirred on the inside. I wondered how much longer I could resist this beautiful woman curled in my arms. When she gasped, the warmth of her breath revived all my senses. Suddenly, she lifted her right arm a little and placed it on my upper body. Her breathing was quiet now, a sign that she had fallen asleep.
Now I could watch her through the dim moonlight coming through the window. A trace of that light shone across her sweet face to the deep neckline of her nightgown. Why on earth did I have to follow it all the way there? Now my eyes were stuck in the beauty of her full breasts. She had just a thin strip of lace that half covered them, letting them peek out deliciously. Her nipples pushed stonily through the fabric of the dress.
Oh dear God, this woman was breathtakingly beautiful. I cursed between my teeth and although she was here, in my home, in my arms, in my life, I couldn’t seem to reach her. I couldn’t taste the forbidden fruit.
I had to do something, and fast. As long as she stayed here, I could still talk to her, tell her how I really felt. It was a risky thing to do, but if I didn’t do it soon, I’d go crazy with desire, lust, longing for her, for... love!


**Rebecca’s story**

Just a week before the glorious event. The days that passed were quite painful, but I had set out to work hard to get the results Dominic expected. I’ve made significant progress with physiotherapy and it excited me that the day I would walk again was very close. My relationship with Dominic had also progressed. He was much more open with me, more approachable.
Catherine, the therapist, was very optimistic about my recovery. And so was I. With all this in mind, I would start my last week of therapy.
Today, Dr. Rogers would bring two metal braces to try to use it for my walking. I was really excited but scared too. I knew Dominic had some rehearsal for the new movie, but he accompanied me to Catherine’s medical office. He said he wanted to witness the miracle of walking, even if it’s all assisted.
I was looking rather frightened at the two stainless steel bars and at that moment, Catherine invited me to begin the exercises.
“Rebecca, don’t be afraid. I am here and I will help you. So is Dominic, right?” I listened to the firm and comforting voice of my therapist. I looked at Dominic, who already had a wide smile.
“Of course... I’m here,” he assured me, too.
“And the fact that you can see again is helpful. It will make a big difference to coordinate your movements. And just to encourage you, know that you’ve made wonderful progress.”
That was true. I had been so eager to accompany him to the gala, especially since he had found out this week that they had nominated him for Best Actor. And they also nominated the movie in which he excelled for Best Screenplay. It was going to be an emotional evening and only a week away.
The time had come. Dominic helped me out of the wheelchair and in his safe arms. I approached the bars. They were a real challenge that I could not waste. I placed my arms on either side of them and squeezed them tightly. I had tried this two days ago too, but only moved a few inches. Now I just needed to do more. My legs were trembling violently and so was my body, but I stayed on my feet even though they hurt terribly.
At the other end was Dominic, and behind me for support was Catherine. “Come on Rebecca, be brave!” the doctor encouraged me and in that second I moved my right leg a few millimeters more dragged than stepped.
My God, it all hurt like hell! My grimaces were out of control. After a few steps, I felt my strength leaving me and I was going to fall. In vain, I tried to command my brain, my body, to stay upright. I staggered and, just as I was about to hit the ground, Dominic caught me.
I looked up, feeling rather ashamed that I had made little progress and already felt hot tears stinging my eyes. But Dominic didn’t allow them to roll down my cheeks.
“Don’t even think about it, Rebecca! I trust you and I know you can. It’s hard, I’m aware, but if anyone can do that, it’s you!”
Those were exactly the words I wanted to hear. I needed him to trust me. I was usually a confident woman, but it seemed that since the day I met Dominic, something had changed in me. He would be involved in my plans. And with his words in mind, I used my last strength and stood up. Dominic had already gone to the end of the bars. I stared into his deep, coal eyes. He was calling me to him and that’s exactly what I was going to do. I figured Dominic was helpless in the whole thing. Just to support me with his presence and kind words. But his company was reassuring. He always had been like that. I could count on him anytime I needed him. And in recent times, I really needed his support. With everything I had been through, Dominic was the only person who was completely there.
I focused my whole body and my steps multiplied, one by one, until I reached him. I leaned on my arms the whole time and never for a second doubted that I would fail.
The joy in his eyes was so real that even though I could feel him wanting to come closer, he waited patiently and wrapped his arms around me as soon as I reached him. The second I felt their strength, I let go.
“You did it, Rebecca!” Catherine shouted from behind me, but all this exhausted me still staying in Dominic’s arms. His fragrance and the warmth of his body engulfed me so that for several minutes I remained a prisoner of that delicious delight.
Then his firm hand lifted my chin, supporting me still.
“That’s right, Rebecca, you did it and I’m very proud of you. Now you can say you’ve been reborn and your life has started again!”